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Council committee backs $25,000 opioid-settlement scholarship fund for Greene students
Summary
Finance Committee advanced a resolution to create a Green Drug Task Force scholarship fund using $25,000 of opioid-settlement money, working with the Greene Schools Foundation to provide recurring $1,000 scholarships to students affected by opioid-related family disruptions or entering substance-use treatment fields; counsel clarified allowable uses under the settlement agreements.
The Finance Committee recommended forwarding Resolution 2024-R-78 to the full council to create a Green Drug Task Force scholarship fund using opioid-settlement funds in partnership with the Greene Schools Foundation. Mayor Yerrigan and staff described a $25,000 initial contribution intended to be endowed and to provide recurring $1,000 scholarships to eligible graduating students. "One of those specific purposes is scholarships," the mayor said in explaining the funding source.
City counsel clarified that the agreements governing opioid-settlement funds do not generically require scholarships; rather, counsel said the city’s prior agreements permit funding services to children living apart from custodial parents due to parental opioid use and expanding access to treatment. Counsel stated he had written a legal opinion concluding that the proposed scholarships—targeted to students affected by custodial opioid use or seeking careers in prevention or treatment—fit within those permitted purposes.
Valerie Wolford (communications director) and school-foundation representatives have worked on the partnership; staff said the Greene Schools Foundation will hold and administer the endowment and that the structure will allow tapping principal so the first-year awards can be made while maintaining the endowed fund.
Why it matters: The measure directs opioid-settlement dollars (which are restricted-purpose funds) toward youth and treatment-support activities in the local schools and community, with committee members endorsing the legal analysis that scholarships can meet the settlement requirements if targeted to qualifying students.
Next steps: Committee agreed to place the resolution on the regular council agenda for a vote that evening.
